CITY DATA

This section presents data on the health of infants and children living in cities compared to that of children nationwide. Included are data on infant mortality, low birth weight, and prenatal care for those women and children who reside in U.S. cities with over 100,000 residents. The following measures indicate that the health status of children living in large U.S. cities is generally poorer than that of children in the nation as a whole. In 2003, the percentage of infants born at low birth weight was 8 percent higher in cities compared to the national average (8.5 versus 7.9 percent). Infant mortality was also higher in cities, likely due at least in part to the higher rate of low birth weight. In 2002, the city infant mortality rate was 7.5 per 1,000 live births, compared to a rate of 7.0 nationwide. The percentage of pregnant women receiving first trimester prenatal care was lower in cities (81.7 percent) than it was nationwide (84.1 percent).

> Birth Weight

> Infant Mortality

> Prenatal Care